Greatly Favored and Deeply Loved (A Birthday Post)

Dear Lord,

I know that the word ‘thank you’ is so futile with what my heart really wants to convey. The immensity of the blessings you have cascaded on the day of my birthday is truly inconceivable. I could utter a prayer of thanks but I know it wouldn’t suffice.

Thank you for bathing me in the dawn of a new day suffused with hundreds of love messages sent thru Facebook, SMS, blackberry and email. Some of them were even sent at the middle of the night which really touched me beyond what words could express.

Thank you for the second surprise of the day, the birthday banner made by my roomie, Ms. Kate. Despite of our busy schedule, she found time to make that marvelous poster for me.

Kate's masterpiece. 

Thank you for the hugs and prayers upon arriving in school. One greeting is more than enough but most kids just couldn’t get enough saying one happy birthday. They were truly endearing repeatedly greeting me whenever they see me walking along the hall or in the learning center. I am truly touched with the kids’ prayers and cards and I know that your words are at work in that place.

Thank you, Lord for the chance to celebrate this day thru a simple lunch with my co- workers whose kindness embraced me since the first day that I set foot in ESIS.

Thank you, Ms. Celine for helping me with the orders. 

Thank you for the biggest surprise of the day when my ESIS family showed more their love for me in a very special way. The moment that I felt something was brewing when a co-worker delayed my going to the teachers’ office to get some stuff, then covering my eyes when finally I was allowed to go out of the English room, then the sweet singing of the birthday song and the splendid cake, the feeling that enveloped me was indescribable, I knew it was your grace at work. 

Thank you for a very special prayer of our school director and for immersing me with that warmth of sincerity and powerful words of positivity. I knew that I’ve made the perfect decision joining the ESIS family.

Thank you for the kindness and generosity of Ms. Debbie for having us in her home and concluding my special day with Mexican food for dinner.

Lastly, Lord, I thank you for another chapter of my life. I know that the road would continue to be long and arduous, but your light will be my guide. I know that there will be more failures than feats, but thank you for the courage to take a chance. I know that there will be heartaches, but thank you for the shower of love from people you send along the way. The words are ineffectual to elucidate what my heart feels, but it is your grace which sustains all my hopes, all my dreams, all my aspirations. I leave the next chapter of my life in your loving hands…

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My Book, My Life: When God Made Teachers

We were all called to do different things here on earth. Our mission varies and probably, at this time of your journey, the destination is not yet fully elucidated.

However, the light of God would always sprinkle hope and faith. Thus, this book was born. The wind of faith steered me to this path and I know that the future is at hand.

My book, When God Made Teachers, elucidates my purpose of life. It gives inspiration through my various experiences as an educator. It showers love using personal convictions. It enlightens troubled souls. It pacifies fears and doubts of a learner and an educator. It seeks to give comfort when uncertainties darken hearts. It gives solace through Bible verses. It is power of words beyond explication.

Join me in my journey. Celebrate with my feats. Cry with my tribulations. Cheer for my victories. My book, my life. Soon... 

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Joie de vivre

I choose to be happy. No further explanation. 

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Random Thoughts, April 26

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A Beholden Wanderer

Not all wanderers are lost. As such, joy is explicit in a nomad who finds meaning in a drifting passage. A realization, which hit me as I turned my gaze back to the time when I first set foot here in Jakarta.

A year ago, I would have thought it improbable to dream that such a journey is possible. I only knew that for the first time in years, I wanted to throw caution to the air and simply follow what my heart was telling me. I was a traveler with no certain plans. I just wanted to try and of course, fly. I was a wanderer who was lost with the realm of my dreams. No blueprint. Nothing. Just FAITH.

Now, as time proves its fleetingness again, I was brought back to the instance when uncertainties were all that I had. One year passed by so swiftly and 23rd of April marks my first year here in Indonesia. I have nothing in my heart but gratitude.

This country has been so generous to me in so many aspects. I’ve been showered lavish opportunities that I lost count of them. I’ve been given with so many friends that it feels like I am just home in the Philippines. I’ve been blessed specifically, spiritually.

Though there are personal sacrifices, they are nothing compared with the self- fulfillment that I have found in this foreign country. Indeed, God has been so generous with me.

One year in this land made me experience to travel for two times in Singapore and of course visit home in the Philippines twice also. I’ve been to different areas of Jakarta and nearby places as well. Yes, each travel is different. Each travel is meaningful. I’ve found them all when I bravely took that journey on the night of April 22.

What struck me the most since coming here was how people can be so generous with their words of appreciation. There is no inhibition of how they say their praises or appreciation. I am humbled beyond utterance of the people who love me here in spite of the short time that I have known them. Again, undoubtedly God has been so generous to me.

Conceivably, this journey has also catapulted me into the quest for meaning of life. Something has changed inside me. That change pierced the core of my life beyond elucidation by words alone. Again, I’ve found them here.

As future is ambiguous at this phase of my life, I don’t really know where this journey will bring me or how long will I stay here. But, as time marks my first year in this foreign land, allow me to say this to the country which has been so generous to me with blessings, to the people who have embraced me as one of them, to the school (and the school owner) which helped me with my spiritual journey, above all, to our generous Creator, who patiently led me in this path, Terima kasih banyak. I am nothing, yet, I was given everything. Yes, I am a beholden wanderer. 

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